Shaymin(シェイミ) is the 492nd Pokémon in the Pokédex. It is a Grass-Type or a Grass/Flying-Type, and is known as the Gratitude Pokémon.

Shaymin's Ability depends on its Forme. Land Forme Shaymin uses the Natural Cure Ability, which heals any of Status Conditions that it gets afflicted with by being substituted. Sky Forme Shaymin uses the Serene Grace Ability, which doubles the chances of its attacks having a secondary effect.

Shaymin doesn't evolve and doesn't have a pre-evolved form, but can change forms. Starting with Pokémon Platinum, it can transform into Shaymin Sky Forme, after you get a Gracidea. Once you use the Gracidea, Shaymin can change into Shaymin Sky Forme, most commonly known as Skymin. Skymin will turn back into Shaymin if the following things happen.

Biology

Physiology

Land Forme Shaymin is a small Pokémon that looks like a hedgehog. Its whole body is white with green fur on its back which looks like grass. On the green fur there are specks of yellow oval shapes which may be pollen. It has two pink flowers near its temple, one on each side, these flowers are known as the Gracidea. Shaymin has small oval eyes with the iris colour green. Its snout is small with a tiny black nose at the end. Shaymin has four legs, its front legs are slightly longer than the back.

Shaymin Sky Forme is slightly taller than its original forme. Its design is based off an reindeer. Sky Forme Shaymin's fur colour is mainly white with some parts of green. On the top of its head is green and also from its knee and below on each leg is green. There are two red leaves that looks like a scarf. Its ears are white and thin, they look like either wings or antlers. It has four legs that a slim and longer than its original forme. Sky Forme Shaymin has large eyes with the iris colour green.

Gender Differences

Shaymin is a genderless Pokémon species.

Game Information

Original Games

Shaymin is an Event Pokémon. Oak's Letter has to be obtained in Diamond, Pearl and Platinum via a Nintendo Wifi Mystery Gift, which was available during a Special Event. Once Oak's Letter has been obtained, bring it to White Rock on Route 224. This will open up the Flower Paradise, an extra long road that leads directly to Shaymin, which is at Level 30.

Spin-Off Games

Shaymin can be found at the summit of Sky's Summit in Explorers of Sky. Shaymin is exclusive to Light Adventure Squad in Mystery Dungeon 3, but a Secret Slab or Enigma Part needs to be brought to the seventh floor of Mystery Meadow to encounter it.

Shaymin is a part of a Ranger Net mission in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia. It is the target of Team Dim Sun members that wish to capture it; as a result you'll have to battle it in order to calm it down. In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Shaymin is also a part of a Ranger Net mission, this one is titled "Rescue the Lost Shaymin!". You'll face Shaymin twice in this mission: once in its Land Forme towards the start of the mission and once in its Sky Forme after evading the energy blasts of the Pokémon Pinchers.

While the Shaymin can't be transferred to a Generation IV game in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, the Shaymin that gets captured in Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs can be transferred to a Fourth Generation game.

Land Forme Shaymin can be found at World Axle Glacier B2 after meeting 100 People; whilst Sky Forme Shaymin appears at World Axle Forest B1 after meeting a total of 120 people in Pokémon Rumble Blast.

Trading Card Game

Shaymin is listed in the Diamond/Pearl Promo set and the 11th Movie Commemoration Set. Shaymin is listed as a Rare Card in the Platinum (3), Unleashed, Next Destinies (2 EX Cards) and Boundaries Crossed sets. Shaymin is listed as an Ultra Rare Lv. X Card in the Platinum (2) set.

Anime/Manga Information

Anime

A Wild Shaymin makes an appearance in the episode Keeping in Top Forme!, an episode that features Marley trying to nurse a rescued Shaymin back to health, along with getting it to fly.

Manga

Shaymin's Manga Information is unknown as of writing.

Pokémon Information

Competitive Battling

Shaymin resides in Borderline 2 (BL2) tier of competitive battling, which means that it is banned from the Rarelyused (RU) tier but not used enough to be in the Underused (UU) tier. With a strong STAB in Seed Flare that can drop an opposing Pokémon's Special Defense by two stages 40% of the time, Shaymin is a very legitimate offensive threat in UU. The Special Defense drops allow for Shaymin to break through special walls that would otherwise wall it, while its overall coverage allows for it to cover its bases very well. Shaymin's overall good bulk and Speed allow for it to come in on numerous threats in the tier and immediately threaten them with Life Orb boosted attacks. Other notable Shaymin sets include a Choice Specs set that gives Shaymin even more power than a Life Orb set and a Substitute + Leech Seed set that can wear down at walls. Shaymin's downfalls are Seed Flare's low PP which can be especially problematic when Shaymin does not get a Special Defense drop and its average 100 base Special Attack that prevents Shaymin from nabbing specific KOs.

Shaymin-Sky is a part of the Uber tier of competitive battling. Shaymin-S is infamous for its ability Serene Grace, which gives it a 60% flinch chance with Air Slash. Its very high 127 base Speed allows for it to revenge kill numerous threats in the tier, while having the ability to drop a Pokémon's Special Defense two stages with Seed Flare allows for it to break down walls with ease. Shaymin-S has access to Healing Wish, a great utility move that can instantly heal up a Pokémon in exchange for Shaymin-S's life. Shaymin-S's best sets are its Life Orb set that can wear down at opposing foes, a Choice Scarf set that can revenge kill extremely speedy threats like a boosted Mega Salamence, and a Substitute + Leech Seed set that can annoy opposing walls especially considering the 60% flinch chance from Air Slash that can immobilize an opponent from healing up. The main flaws in Shaymin-S are its proneness to getting worn down due to Stealth Rock and Life Orb recoil and its frailty that makes it susceptible to being picked off by priority attacks and makes it hard for it to switch in.